Processing and Properties of Reversion-Treated Austenitic Stainless Steels

Abstract

Strength properties of annealed austenitic stainless steels are relatively low and therefore improvements are desired for constructional applications. The reversion of deformation induced martensite to fine-grained austenite has been found to be an efficient method to increase significantly the yield strength of metastable austenitic stainless steels without impairing much their ductility. Research has been conducted during thirty years in many research groups so that the features of the reversion process and enhanced properties are reported in numerous papers. This review covers the main variables and phenomena during the reversion processing and lists the static and dynamic mechanical properties obtained in laboratory experiments, highlighting them to exceed those of temper rolled sheets. Moreover, formability, weldability and corrosion resistant aspects are discussed and finally the advantage of refined grain structure for medical applications is stated. The reversion process has been utilized industrially in a very limited extent, but apparently, it could provide a feasible processing route for strengthened austenitic stainless steels.

Cyclic deformation behaviour and stability of grain-refined 301LN austenitic stainless structure

“…3). Similar hysteresis loop changes at the early stage of fatigue life were documented recently for UFGA and FGA steels also for much higher frequencies adopted during cyclic straining [19].…”

Manufacturing and Applications of Stainless Steels

“…It consists of four review and ten research papers. The review papers focus on the state of the art and perspectives in repairing and reinforcing historic timber structures by stainless steels [1], on duplex and super-duplex stainless steel microstructures and the evolution of their properties by surface modification processes [2], on the process and properties of reversion-heated austenitic stainless steels [3] and on the 3D printing of stainless steels by the laser powder bed fusion technique [4]. A group of research papers deal with physical metallurgy and advancedcharacterization techniques [5], others with process aspects [6][7][8] or property application items related to stainless steels [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

Deformation-induced martensite in austenitic stainless steels: A review

“…Desirable corrosion resistance, toughness, and weldability of austenitic stainless steels (ASSs) have made them good candidates for various industrial sectors. In this regard, however, the relatively low yield stress of these steels is their main drawback [1][2][3]. Accordingly, different strengthening mechanisms such as work-hardening, addition of alloying elements, bake hardening, and grain size refinement have been practiced so far to enhance the mechanical properties of ASSs [4].…”

“…Since ASSs normally have a high strain-hardening coefficient, they can be cold-worked to increase the strength [3]. Many grades are metastable at room temperature and the austenite phase transforms to martensite during cold working [1][2][3][4]. In the ASSs, the temperature below which austenite transforms spontaneously to martensite (Ms) is less than 0 °C [3], and hence, the martensite phase is not expected to form during cooling.…”

“…rolling) can be effectively used to improve the strength of ASSs [4]. However, this might result in the anisotropy in mechanical properties [2], impairing the corrosion resistance [46][47][48][49], and change in the magnetic properties [50][51][52]. Moreover, the formation of martensite during deformation is responsible for the enhanced workhardening rate, the inhibition of necking, and increased uniform elongation.…”